HC seeks report on fire extinguishing system in Dhaka high-rises

The High Court on Monday sought a joint report on fire extinguishing measures as per the Fire Prevention and Extinguishing Rules 2003, and National Building Code-2012 in the capital's high-rise buildings.

Rajuk, Dhaka city corporations, and fire service authorities were asked to form a committee and submit the report within four months, reports UNB.

Besides, the fire service chief was directed to file a report within a month on its modern equipment, vehicles and human resources.

The bench of Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir issued the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by lawyer Shukla Sarwat Siraj on March 31.

In a rule, the court asked authorities concerned to explain why an order should not be given to compensate families of Chawkbazar and FR Tower fire victims.

It also asked why issues related to fire should not be included in textbooks, why civil defence should not be ordered to establish a fire station in Gulshan. The court asked why Rajuk should not be ordered to allocate land for the fire station.

Rajuk chairman, director general of fire service, Dhaka city mayors, secretaries of home, housing, education, food and disaster management ministries were asked to respond within two weeks.

Shukla took part in the hearing for herself while Deputy Attorney General Kazi Zinat Haque represented the state.